Polo GTI High Oil Usage - Discussion Thread

[fastlane]

Guys, if there is enough interest why don't we do our own set of oil consumption testing?

Instead of going to VW and have them put tape all over the oil cap, we devise our own test.

People who have a similar driving pattern; i.e. going to work, same route; drive 500kms driving slow, keeping revs down (best leave it in D, or Manual Mode but keeping engine speed below 2k cruising.

Measure, top up.

Do another 500kms but going mental, manual mode, drag racing off the lights.

I'm genuinly interested to see what kind of results we can obtain from CAV, CTHE, and breather modded cars.

Anyone keen? We'll have a poll, listing ranges of oil consumption and hopefully get an answer if these engines are really true oil chewers - or just affected by the owners drivers style.

[danielv10]

Yeah good idea. It'll be also good to see a range of routes and how it also affects the oil. Some people may have regular short, suburban drives in traffic. Then compare that to someone that drives highway against traffic etc.

[Martin]

Is that correct? While I'm not saying your technique is equally valid, I always consistently check mine when it is stone cold, typically after it has been stood overnight. Wouldn't this also give an accurate and valid reading?

The oil expands when it's hot - that's what the dip stick is calibrated for

This is in my manual, it would be better if they were more explicit...

One should therefore check the oil level at regular intervals,
preferably every time after the fuel tank is filled or after driving for long stretches.

[brad]

when are you checking the level? it needs to be within 5-10min of turning off the engine (obviously has to be driven for a bit)

While this is VWs recomended method, using the traditional "check after sitting overnight" method is only going to make a couple of mm difference. The main thing is that the checking method is consistant.

[brad]

Don't wait for the bloody light to come on people! You have all read this thread, is it really that hard to pop the bonnet and check your oil when you fill up with petrol? Especially if you don't know exactly how much oil your engine burns?!
In all honesty, I don't have nay sympthy for those who ocmplain about the light coming on because in reality, if you're already a member on here then you know about the problems. It's just lazyness.

Couldn't agree more. Can't believe the apathy of some folk.

[ehsteve]

Apathy? What a load of crap. I've even heard people on here saying that European cars are meant to be checked at every fill up, implying that buying European means taking on extra responsibility. We have owned 3 Mercs, 4 bmws and an alfa, with a range of engines and aspirations and not one required constant surveillance like this, not even the Alfa. As great as the polo is to drive, I can't believe how worried I am about what could happen. Even if it runs perfectly over the next few years, those years are still going to be spent worrying about it. Given that the missus drives it, it is impossible to constantly monitor the oil level, compounded by the fact that where she parks at home is on a hill.

If people are on these forums worrying about it, it is displaying the absolute opposite of apathy. Stop being so patronising, especially when you are just hitching a piggy back ride on someone else's opinion.

[brad]

If a particular engine type has a known reputation for being an oil burner and the owners don't check the oil at all in the first 8,000km & have to add 2 litres of oil (50% of the total fill) then I think there's definately apathy, especially when the owners manual says check the oil every 500km/fuel fill.

Wouldn't you monitor oil usage until you get an indication as to how much the engine is using & then adjust the preventive maintenance regime to suit? That's industry best practice - write job plan & schedule, check, monitor, adjust job plan & schedule, check, monitor, etc.

Not being patronising & not piggy-backing. I've expressed my opinion on this issue before & it hasn't changed. Unfortunately, some of you have oil burners. Besides continueing to apply pressure to the dealers & VWA you have to monitor the oil level on an ongoing basis in accordance with the owners manual which recomends every fuel fill.

[Proximak]

Apathy? What a load of crap. I've even heard people on here saying that European cars are meant to be checked at every fill up, implying that buying European means taking on extra responsibility. We have owned 3 Mercs, 4 bmws and an alfa, with a range of engines and aspirations and not one required constant surveillance like this, not even the Alfa. As great as the polo is to drive, I can't believe how worried I am about what could happen. Even if it runs perfectly over the next few years, those years are still going to be spent worrying about it. Given that the missus drives it, it is impossible to constantly monitor the oil level, compounded by the fact that where she parks at home is on a hill.

If people are on these forums worrying about it, it is displaying the absolute opposite of apathy. Stop being so patronising, especially when you are just hitching a piggy back ride on someone else's opinion.

I wouldn't worry about it ehsteve, i'm not. You know the saying, opinions are like assholes, everyones got one...or is that everyone is one

[k0e1]

Went to VW at liverpool to do a 15k service + to finalise my oil consumption test. This is the second time round and this time the test shows that it has consumed 600mL/1000km so they are going to do the breather hose replacement (last time it was just under). Fingers cross this will improve the consumption. They also took photoes of the oil/dirt/charcoal that was building up on the back of the car. Shall update everyone if this goes well but who knows if it will. The guy said out of 6 people 1 person had higher oil consumption after the breather hose change. So lets see how this goes.

[Yaks1974]

Stay in M mode, Keep your revs above 2k rpm and your problem should go away.

[Zakarados]

Stay in M mode, Keep your revs above 2k rpm and your problem should go away.

Why avoid the problem? Keep driving in D and get repairs done while you are in warranty. I got my car back from an engine rebuild last Friday. I have not driven enough to check oil consumption, but I gave it a hard time on the weekend, and not seeing any black soot/oil in the hatch. Fingers crossed it stays like this.

[Stirl]

Ok so now my car is getting the engine pulled apart so they can have a look at the pistons....

[Yaks1974]

Well in that case Zak stop driving it hard I bet u anything the oil consumption and soot will come back new engine or not!

[Zakarados]

Well in that case Zak stop driving it hard I bet u anything the oil consumption and soot will come back new engine or not!

Well I was only driving hard because I was without it for 3 weeks and also proved that my heavy sooting is gone. It is now being used as a daily drive so, I will update this forum in the coming weeks. I only drive around 200km a week so give it a month before we can see if the oil is still around 1L/1000km as it was before the engine rebuild.

[Yaks1974]

Ok this is my theory..... All 1.4 twinchargers have some kind of design flaw in that they have noticeable oil consumption and exhaust soot during low engine speed (below 2000 rpm). By not using the D mode at all ( which is designed to keep revs very low and thus improve fuel economy) these people are seeing oil consumption improve to around 1L/8000 -10000km and cleaner tailpipes.